A chapel, built in 1861 at the corner of Sussex Drive and Mackenzie Street for Anglican soldiers stationed in Bytown, was consecrated in 1874 as the Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist. In 1889, a small group from St. George’s Church, in a dispute over the liturgy, commissioned architect J. Hames to construct a church at the corner of Elgin and Somerset streets. The cornerstone was laid in 1890 and the building was completed five months later and consecrated as Grace Church. After a fire destroyed the church on Sussex Drive in 1912, the two churches joined in 1913 to form the Church of St. John the Evangelist. The church’s interior is constructed entirely of wood. The beautiful stained glass windows were donated by members of the congregation. The organ, built in 1977 by Gabriel Kney, contains some 2,000 handmade pipes, including a unique rank of fanfare trumpets that project horizontally into the church. St. John’s plays an active role in the Centretown community, hosting meetings, artistic gatherings and concerts.

St. Andrew’s is a distinguished feature of the heart of the National Capital’s ceremonial area. The original church of 1828 was built for a Presbyterian congregation by Thomas MacKay’s Scottish stonemasons during a lull in construction of the Rideau Canal locks. It was replaced in 1872 by the neo-Gothic structure that exists today. Some of the stained glass windows were designed by Eleanor Milne who also designed the stained glass windows in the Senate Chamber and the House of Commons. To meet costs of major repairs, the Sunday School hall was replaced by an offi ce tower. The refurbished sanctuary and new Guilbault Thérien pipe organ were dedicated in 1987. St. Andrew’s has an enduring tradition of active participation in community and national events. To commemorate Canada’s 125th birthday the lobed windows over the Wellington Street entrance were installed. St. Andrew’s parishioners have included Princess Juliana of the Netherlands whose Canadian-born daughter, Margriet, was baptized there. St. Andrew’s hosts many musical events, including regular performances by Thirteen Strings.

In 1832, Nicholas Sparks donated a Bytown site for worship by members of the Church of England. The congregation was organized and the first service took place on July 21, 1833. For the next two years, rough planks served as pews while parishioners awaited completion of the walls and ceiling. By 1841, the small church could not meet the needs of the growing congregation. Enlargements were completed by 1843, on additional land donated by Nicholas Sparks, and the church was consecrated and named Christ Church. The church was demolished in 1872 and the cornerstone of a new church laid at the same site, with a time capsule containing monetary denominations and artifacts. The first service in the new building was held on September 29, 1873. In 1897, Christ Church became the cathedral of the new Diocese of Ottawa. The new chancel was completed in 1932, marking 100 years since the first church was established in Bytown.

St. Matthew’s parish was established in 1898. The first church was a small Gothic wooden building designed by John Watts who later designed mansions for leading Ottawa citizens, including lumber baron J.R. Booth. By the 1920s a new church was needed for the growing congregation. Completed in time for Christmas 1930, the Indiana limestone structure was designed by Ottawa architect Cecil Burgess in the orthodox cruciform plan with an English Gothic exterior. The nave was furnished with hand-carved oak pews for about 900 persons. The choir stalls, altar, rail and lectern were saved from the original church, as well as two of the three large stained glass windows and furnishings now in the small chapel. The pulpit is adorned with statuettes of the four Evangelists. St. Matthew’s has a strong choral tradition. The choir sings both traditional and contemporary works, backed by a 2,770-pipe organ, one of the finest in Ottawa.

First Baptist Church was founded in 1857 when the nine-person congregation met in a private home. The original church, built on Queen Street in 1863, was quickly outgrown. Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie laid the cornerstone of the current building in 1877. The Prime Minister, who worshipped at the church, was an expert stonemason. He promptly borrowed a workman’s tool to spread the mortar and tap the stone in place. The building was completed the following year. The unused ceremonial trowel, donated to the church by the Mackenzie family, is mounted on the north wall of the sanctuary. In 1928, the sanctuary seating was reoriented from east/west to north/south, which accounts for the baptistry’s location on the west wall. The organ and choir loft were installed in 1966. The church serves as garrison (home) church for Baptist members of the Armed Forces posted outside Ottawa. Since 1980 the congregation has sponsored a number of refugee families fl eeing persecution and oppression. The First Baptist Church is air-conditioned.

Rideau Hall has been the official residence of the Governor General of Canada since Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital of Canada in 1866. The 79 acre site includes magnifi cent gardens and a wide assortment of trees planted by the Governors General at the start of their terms and by official guests of Rideau Hall. Built in 1838 by Thomas MacKay, stonemason and builder of the entrance to the Rideau Canal locks, the house has been expanded many times. The main entrance, completed in 1913, contains the heraldic shields of the Governors of Canada, beginning with Samuel de Champlain, first Governor of New France. Portraits of the Governors General and their spouses hang in various rooms. The Prime Minister and Cabinet members swear their oaths of offi ce in the ballroom, where diplomatic functions are also held. Many rooms showcase Victorian British or Oriental styles, and the Canadian Room displays Canadian art and culture. The flower garden also contains many Canadian symbols, such as a totem pole.

McLeod-Stewarton United Church is an amalgamation of Stewarton United Church (formerly Presbyterian) and McLeod Street United Church (formerly Methodist). The original congregations were formed in 1888 and 1890, respectively. Amalgamation occurred in 1961. The Gothic, Canadian limestone building currently used was constructed in 1907 by the Scottish stonemasons brought to Canada to work on the Parliament Buildings. The congregation has supported a long tradition of music. The late Bernice Oak, head of the music department at the Ottawa Board of Education, was a strong supporter of music in the church and played a major role in restoration of the organ. McLeod-Stewarton has a fi ne choir led by four soloists and a concert series of diverse music. It is an active participant in the community, providing programs such as a drop-in centre for the homeless and a food bank.

Dominion-Chalmers United Church traces its origins to the early 19th century in the fledgling community then known as Bytown. The cornerstone of the current building, originally constructed as Chalmers Presbyterian Church, was laid in 1912. Montreal architect Alex C. Hutchison’s design was said to refl ect the Romanesque architecture of southern France. The sanctuary’s ceiling line is highlighted by capped columns, stained glass windows and grand arches that provide a vaulted effect to the central hexagonal roof dome. Recent renovations have updated the building while respecting its historic signifi cance and classic design. The magnifi cent 5,157-pipe Casavant organ, installed in the Byzantine sanctuary in 1965, is often heard on CBC broadcasts. While looking forward to a promising future, the congregation takes pride in the church’s history, honouring the generations that worshipped and worked together in a spirit of caring and sharing.

All CBC/Radio-Canada’s Ottawa production staff works under one roof right in the heart of the capital, bringing together national and regional, French and English radio, TV and New Media. Being together provides maximum opportunity to work together to deliver the best possible programming to audiences and listeners. The downtown location also enhances visibility and more possibilities to invite the public in for activities in Studio 40 and to bring shows right out into the Sparks Street Mall. Studio Sparks is Eric Friesen’s popular midday program on CBC Radio Two. On occasion, as during the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Studio Sparks brings artists and public together for a live broadcast.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canada’s largest and most visited museum, presents a wide array of exhibitions on the culture and social history of both Canada and the world. With striking curved lines, this architectural gem is located in Gatineau, on the banks of the Ottawa river, less than fi ve minutes from downtown Ottawa. Canada’s rich culture reveals itself as one travels through 1,000 years of history in life-sized settings, marvel at the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles and discover the customs and accomplishments of the country’s First Peoples. Other features include world-class special exhibitions, the Canadian Children’s Museum, the Canadian Postal Museum and the IMAX® Theatre.

Located right on campus, Freiman Hall is used not just by music students at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Music, but also provides needed performance space for other musical events. The hall is named after philanthropist and businessman Lawrence Freiman who was heavily involved in the arts and transfered his commercial acumen, acquired operating department stores and shopping malls, to academe. Lawrence Freiman served both the original and reorganized University of Ottawa as a regent and governor. He died in Florida in 2006 at age 77. Freiman Hall is a fitting legacy to a music and theatre lover who played a major role in the University’s development.

The congregation of St.Giles was formed in 1925 and Governor General Viscount Willingdon inaugurated the church building on May 5, 1929. In the early years immigrants from Scotland formed the backbone of the Church and the tradition of welcoming newcomers to Canada has continued. St. Giles is involved in many outreach projects, both locally through the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee and internationally through the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Church extends a warm welcome to everyone to enjoy the ambience and warmth of the oak interior, the beautiful stained glass windows and the excellent acoustics.

The Plaza Bridge spans the Rideau Canal in the heart of downtown Ottawa, between the National War Memorial and the Chateau Laurier Hotel. Since summer 2006, the area under the west arch of the Plaza Bridge near the National Arts Centre and alongside the Rideau Canal has become the site for the Noon Under the Bridge series of free mini-concerts and theatre vignettes presented by the National Capital Commission, in collaboration with Parks Canada, the National Arts Centre and a number of partner festivals, including the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival.